The existence of apical dominance in the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson was elucidated by in situ experimental manipulation. Removal of the apical meristem of a C. nodosa horizontal rhizome promoted an increase in the branching rate of the rhizome which was mostly driven by a change in the growth form of the nearest vertical rhizome into horizontal growth. Although the elongation of the branches increased when the rhizome apical meristem was eliminated, total plant growth was reduced by severing of the apical meristem.